Nashville Predators: Ragin’ Rookies and Non-Stop Newcomers

The Nashville Predators are nearing the halfway mark of the 2022-2023 NHL season. This season the Predators have dressed some new faces in the lineup, some of which were picked up in trades and some of which have been developed by the organization.

The Predators currently hold the 6th place in the Central Division with a record of 16-14-6 (38 points). They are three spots out of a Wild Card position with games in hand on all teams ahead of them with the exception of the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild.

While the team is struggling as a whole there has been some positives to these new faces in the lineup. It has forced Head Coach John Hynes to make a lot of roster adjustments to find the right spot in the starting lineup for these new faces that joined over the offseason.

Let’s take a look at how these players got to Nashville and the impact they have had on the team so far in 2022-23.

“El Nino” has Provided Solid Play on Both Ends of the Ice

Nino Niederreiter was drafted by the New York Islanders in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 5th overall pick that year. In 2013 Niederreiter was traded to the Minnesota Wild and then in 2019 he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.

During the summer of 2022 Niederreiter was an UFA and signed by the Nashville Predators to a two-year, $4 million AAV contract.

Niederreiter has been a surprising offensive firepower through the first part of the season. He has played in all 36 games for the Predators this season and has 12 goals/9 assists for 21 points. Neiderreiter has spent time on the Predators second power play unit and has two power play goals.

According to Hockey-Reference.com, Niederreiter has averaged 1.3 goals and 1.0 assists per 60 minutes of ice time. Of all the shifts that Niederreiter has started 57.7% of them have been in the offensive zone showing that the coaching staff has trust in his ability to put the back of the net and be a factor in O-Zone play.

Overall, the addition of Niederreiter has been a good move by David Poile and the Predators front office, averaging 15:45 minutes time on ice and only taking three minor penalties.

If Niederreiter keeps this level of play going, the Nashville Predators will be more of a contender in the standings and hang around in the postseason race.

Parssinen Making a Positive Impact in Rookie Season

The 21-year-old Finnish center, Juuso Parssinen, was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 2019 at the 210th overall pick in the seventh round. Parssinen signed his Entry Level Contact with the Predators on May 28, 2021.

The 2022-2023 season has been split between the AHL and NHL with Parssinen playing in 10 games for the Predators AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, and 22 games at the NHL level. He hasn’t looked back since making his NHL debut on November 12 against the Rangers when he scored a goal.

In his time with the Predators, Parssinen has 3 goals and 6 assists. The big bodied forward has been relentless on the forecheck creating plays and gaining puck possession in the offensive zone.

Even though Parssinen is aggressive on the forecheck he has not taken any penalties in his 22 NHL games, showing the discipline and skill that he brings to the lineup night in and night out.

This young forward has a big future ahead of him and is currently signed through the 2023-2024 season. If the Predators can keep him around, he will be a pivotal part of this team for years to come.

McDonagh has Been a Stabilizing Force for the Defense Corps

Ryan McDonagh is an NHL Veteran that has played in 812 NHL games. Only Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen have more NHL game experience than McDonagh on the current Predators roster.

Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2007 draft as the 12th-overall pick, McDonagh has played for the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning before being acquired in a massive offseason trade by the Predators this past summer.

The combination of Josi and McDonagh on the top defensive pairing has been a force to be reckoned with for the Predators.

In 29 games played McDonagh has 64 blocked shots, willing to put his body on the line each and every shift he is on the ice for, especially on the penalty kill which has crept up to 15th in the NHL after being 18th in 2021-22.

It was a salary cap dump for the Lightning and they certainly didn’t want to lose McDonagh. The Predators, wisely, jumped at the opportunity to add a veteran presence like McDonagh.

McDonagh is not known for his offensive prowess like his defensive partner Josi, however his presence on the ice is seen every game. McDonagh is a +9 on the season on a Predators team that has struggled to score goals.

Aside from his play on the ice, McDonagh brings championship pedigree with two Stanley Cups on and a wealth of knowledge and experience to a relatively young locker room.

#55 Roland McKeown

Roland McKeown, 26-year-old Ontario native defensemen, was signed by the Predators on July 14 of the 2022 offseason to a two-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $762,500 at the NHL level. He has only played in four games for the Predators this season, spending the majority of his time in Milwaukee.

In his brief stint with the Predators, McKeown hasn’t notched a point yet, and has three minor penalties. Based on his play, one can only imagine that his time in the NHL will be limited unless he can step his game up.

If Dante Fabbro ends up being traded, that will open up roster space for more NHL opportunities for McKeown. He got 14:39 of ice time and dished out three hits in the win over the Canadiens on Tuesday with Fabbro being a healthy scratch.

Signed through the end of 2023-2024 season, McKeown could also be an asset that the Predators look at trading for a draft pick to clear out some cap space as the 2022-2023 season trade deadline approaches in two months.

Kevin Lankinen has Been a Reliable Backup to Saros

Kevin Lankinen is a three-year NHL veteran who got his NHL start with the Chicago Blackhawks before being signed by the Predators on July 14, 2022, to a one-year, $1.5 million AAV contract.

Lankinen was brought in by the Predators to back up their stud goaltender and 2021-2022 Vezina Trophy Finalist, Juuse Saros. In his nine games, eight of them starts, Lankinen has been impressive so far.

“I have some great memories from here. My first win, first shutout, first game. Such great people here, too. I’ll forever be thankful to the organization for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my childhood dream.” Kevin Lankinen on his return to Chicago.

Going 3-4-1 in his eight starts may not seem impressive but his other numbers are solid as a backup. A .916 save percentage and 2.91 GAA gives the Predators stability when Saros needs a rest.

While Lankinen’s record does not look the best those are some pretty impressive numbers being put up by a backup goaltender in the NHL. In three of his five losses, he gave up five goals to the likes of Vegas, Edmonton and Colorado.

With prospects such as Yaroslav Askarov and Devin Cooley it is unknown what the future holds for Lankinen with the Nashville Predators organization. If Lankinen is not wearing a Predators sweater next season, he has shown that he has what it takes to be a top starting goalie again.

That’s a Wrap on New Faces for the Nashville Predators

While there are more new faces for the Predators that have played in the lineup this season, these players are the ones that have played the most for this team.

If the Predators are going to be successful this season and in years to come, they need to develop these young players and use their talent to its fullest potential.

With the Predators season going how it is through the first 36 games, it is likely that some of these new faces will be used as trade bait come closer to March 3, 2023, NHL Trade Deadline.

We will revisit this list later in the season and see who made it past the Trade Deadline and who was used to bolster this Predators lineup. The season depends on them stepping up and playing to their maximum ability to see if the Predators will be buyers or sellers come March 3.